Product delivery system for foodstuffs

ABSTRACT

A product delivery system is provided. The product delivery system contains a protective cover, eyelet clip, a securing strap, a zipper bag and an adjustable body. The adjustable body contains a first adjuster and a second adjuster. Upon insertion of the second adjuster into the first adjuster, the upper and lower, first and second, plurality of sizing members contact the respective sizing clips on the first adjuster. The adjusting body is adjusted to the diameter of the interior of a packaged product. The zipper bag is placed over an open space that is created by the adjustable body, where use of the securing strap, fitting into the securing recess of the adjusting body, creates an airtight seal between the zipper bag, the packaged product and the adjusting body. The protective cover contains an interconnecting eyelet member and a first and second hook. The interconnecting eyelet member aligns with the first and second parallel eyelet members of the eyelet clip, where the respective eyelets are pierced when vertically hung. The first and second hooks contact the respective first and second zipper eyelets of the zipper bag for further support of the structure.

CLAIM FOR PRIORITY

This application is a Continuation-In-Part of prior application Ser. No. 10/794,597 filed Mar. 8, 2004.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1) Field of the Invention

The invention relates to packaged food product storage, preservation and dispensing.

2) Discussion of the Related Art

Storage of large bulk food items for animals has always been inconvenient, especially for those with limited space. Pet owners have little option, given the available products, to effectively use their limited space. Furthermore, for those with no space, find that outside storage is the only alternative. Because a majority of food buying is now in bulk, food storage can span from weeks to months, before it is depleted. The long length of time consistently exposes the food to oxygen, microbes, fungus, and in the case of outdoor storage, rain, wind, snow and sunlight.

The disadvantages of current pet food dispensers are that, many are too small to accommodate large bulk bags. They must then be refilled every few days of use. Those that have the space to store the bulk bags, generally lack the preservation means for the bag contents. Many simply crumble up the ends of the bag. This action does nothing to preserve the contents, exposing the food to oxygen, microbes and fungus. This situation becomes dire for those who are relegated to outdoor storage. There the bulk bag is also subject to extreme elements such as wind, sun, rain and snow.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention is described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of components of a product delivery system for foodstuffs.

FIG. 5 is a perspective-view a protective cover.

FIG. 6 is a perspective-view of an eyelet clip and a zipper bag

FIG. 7 is a perspective-view a securing strap, including a strap, a handle and a locking mechanism.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of an adjustable body, illustrating spring-loaded retainers of first and second retainer components and a securing recess.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the adjustable body in detail, including the securing recess, the first and second retainer components, a first and a second housing and a first and a second, upper and lower plurality of sizing members.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 4 of the accompanying drawings illustrates a product delivery system according to an embodiment of the invention, which includes a protective cover 28, an eyelet clip 36, a securing strap 42, a zipper bag 50 and an adjustable body 60.

FIG. 5 of the accompanying drawings illustrates the protective cover 28 in more detail, including a shell 30, an interconnected eyelet member 32 and a first hook 34 and a second hook 34A. FIG. 6 of the accompanying drawings illustrates the eyelet clip 36 and the zipper bag 50 in more detail. The eyelet clip 36 includes a connected first parallel eyelet member 38 and a second parallel eyelet member 40. The zipper bag 50 includes a flexible clear body 52, a zipper 58, a first zipper eyelet 54, a second zipper eyelet 54A and a fastener 56. FIG. 7 of the accompanying drawings illustrates the securing strap 42 in more detail, including, a strap 44, a handle 46 and a locking mechanism 48.

FIG. 8 illustrates of the accompanying drawings illustrates a cross-section of the first adjuster 62 of the adjusting body 60. FIG. 9 illustrates the adjustable body 60. The adjustable body is comprised of a first adjuster 62 and a second adjuster 78. The first adjuster is comprised of a first housing 64 and a second housing 64A, a first securing recess 66 and a first retainer component 68 and a second retainer component 68A. The retainer components are comprised of adjusting levers 70, and 70A, upper sizing clips 72 and 72A, lower sizing clips 74 and 74A, spring-loaded retainers 76 and 76A.

The second adjuster is comprised of a second securing recess 80, a first upper plurality of sizing members 82, a lower plurality of sizing members 84, a second upper plurality of sizing members 82A, a lower plurality of sizing members 84A.

In use, the product delivery system provides an effective means to store, preserve and dispense packaged food products. The eyelet clip 36 is connected to the packaged product by depressing said clip, disengaging the first and second parallel eyelet members 38 and 40, and then releasing said clip to connect with the packaged product The adjustable body 60 is then inserted into the open packaged product. The adjustable body 60 provides the initial stability and function by adjusting to the maximum diameter of a packaged food product. Upon insertion of the second adjuster 78 into the first housing 64 and second housing 64A of the first adjuster 62, the first and second upper 82 and 82A, and lower 84 and 84A, plurality of sizing members make contact with the upper sizing clips 72 and 72A and lower sizing clips 74 and 74A of the first retainer component 68 and second retainer component 68A.

The adjusting levers 70 and 70A are depressed, the upper 72 and 72A, and lower 74 and 74A, sizing clips disengage, and allow for further insertion of the second adjuster 78 to fit the diameter of the packaged product, once released, the spring-loaded retainers 76 and 76A spring forward, engaging the plurality of sizing members, resulting in a stable system and creating an open portion for dispensing the product.

Once the adjustable body is within the packaged product, the zipper bag 50 is placed over the opened portion of the packaged product, created by the adjustable body 60, enveloping the packaged product, thus placing a lining of the packaged product in between said adjustable body 60 and zipper bag 50. In one embodiment, the zipper bag can be adjustable to fit over any sized packaged product.

The securing strap 42 is placed around the zipper bag 50, the packaged product, and rests inside the connected first securing recess 66 and second securing recess 80 of the adjustable body 60. In one embodiment, the securing strap is elastic. The handle 46 is opened and strap 44 is then pulled, creating an airtight pocket over the open portion of the packaged product, allowing for maximum protection from oxidation, microbes and fungus. The locking mechanism 48 then aids in maintaining the security once the handle 46 is closed.

The interconnected eyelet member 32 of the protective cover 28 slides between the first and second parallel eyelet members 38 and 40 of the eyelet clip 36. The first and second hooks 34 and 34A of the protective cover 28 connect with the first and second zipper eyelet 54 and 54A in order to maintain the stability of the system. In one embodiment, said first hook 34 and second hook 34A, are adjustable, and can be connected to any size zipper bag 50 with respective zipper eyelets 54 and 54A. Upon vertical hanging, a hook, will pierce the first parallel eyelet member, the interconnected eyelet member 38 and the second parallel eyelet member 40, connecting and holding the packaged product, vertically, and within the protective cover 28.

The number of pet owners is consistently increasing. Many owners try and save money by buying food in bulk. Most often, pet owners find storage space limited due to the large quantity of food in bulk bags, and in some cases, they find that outside storage is the only option. Food bags can also be cumbersome and heavy to move around. Today, the quantities of pet food range from 6-50 lbs. The product delivery system provides for efficient use of limited storage space, preservation and ease of dispensing large bulk food items.

An advantage of the product delivery system is its vertical positioning. In an embodiment of the invention, a hook can hang the product delivery system vertically. The hook pierces the respective eyelets of, the first and second parallel eyelet members of the eyelet clip, as well as the interconnected eyelet member of the protective cover. This allows storage of a bulk-packaged product in a variety of areas that would ordinarily not be used. Moreover, because some owners are faced with limited space and must store food outdoors, the protective cover provides the necessary protection from the outdoor elements, effectively increasing the lifespan of the packaged product.

Another advantage of the product delivery system is its unique ability to preserve the contents of the bulk-packaged items. Using large quantities of food increases the amount of time spent exposed to the environment. Because animals eat such small portions the food containers can spend weeks, even months, exposed to oxygen, microbes and fungus. The product delivery system is equipped with a zipper bag that effectively reduces this exposure by employing very unique elements.

Paramount to these elements is the securing strap and recess. The securing strap is comprised of a strap, handle and locking mechanism. The strap can be effectively pulled to its maximum tension strength by use of the handle and locked into position by the locking mechanism. A securing recess, which is comprised of a first securing recess on the first adjuster and a second recess on the second adjuster, once connected, allows for the securing strap to rest within. This securing recess is another barrier to the introduction of oxygen into the packaged product, thus increasing its longevity.

The second element is the clear through plastic flexible cover. This cover is impermeable to the elements, providing safe storage of food for a prolonged period of time. As an added safeguard, the clear plastic allows an end user to primarily survey the contents of the bag, to ensure quality. Fungus is easy to spot and is indicative of contamination of the food source.

Generally, pet owners resort to using a cup or other utensil to reach in and pull out portions of food. An advantage of the product delivery system is its unique dispensing method. The zipper bag is comprised of a flexible clear body, a first and second zipper eyelet and a fastener. While the respective eyelets are connected to the protective cover hooks, the fastener can be moved with one hand, providing ease of dispensing product.

While certain exemplary embodiments have been described and shown in the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that such embodiments are merely illustrative and not restrictive of the current invention, and that this invention is not restricted to the specific constructions and arrangements shown and described since modification may occur to those ordinarily skilled in the art. 

1. A product delivery system comprising: a protective cover, a eyelet clip, a securing strap, a zipper bag and a adjustable body, said protective cover comprised of a first and second hook, a shell and a interconnected eyelet member, said eyelet clip, comprised of a connected first and second parallel eyelet member; said eyelet clip, connected to a packaged product and to the interconnected eyelet member of said protective cover, via a hook through respective eyelets, said zipper bag comprised of a flexible body, a zipper with a first and second zipper eyelet and a fastener; said zipper bag, covering said packaged product, supported by said first and second hook of said protective cover by connecting with respective first and second zipper eyelets, said adjustable body having a first and second adjuster, said first adjuster having a first and second housing, a first securing recess and first and second retainer components, said first and second retainer components are comprised of a adjusting lever, upper and lower sizing clips and a spring-loaded retainer, respectively, the second adjuster comprised of a second securing recess and a first and second, upper and lower plurality of sizing members; said adjustable body, adjusting to an interior of said packaged product, said securing strap, comprised of a strap, a handle and a locking mechanism; said securing strap, tightened, securing the zipper bag to the packaged product and to the adjusting body by fitting within the first and second securing recesses of the adjustable body, creating an airtight seal.
 2. The product delivery system as in claim 1, wherein said protective cover hooks are a plurality.
 3. The product delivery system as in claim 1, wherein said securing strap is elastic.
 4. The product delivery system as in claim 1, wherein said zipper eyelets are at the respective ends of the zipper.
 5. The product delivery system as in claim 4, wherein said zipper bag is clear plastic.
 6. The product delivery system as in claim 1, wherein said zipper bag is attached to said protective cover, by Velcro, forming a half-moon shape.
 7. The product delivery system as in claim 1, wherein a plurality of attachment hooks, connected to said interconnected member of said protective cover, adjust for package size.
 7. A zipper bag for packaged foods, comprising; a flexible body, a zipper, a fastener and a securing strap.
 8. The zipper bag as in claim 7, wherein the flexible body is clear plastic.
 9. The zipper bag as in claim 8, wherein the flexible body is impermeable to oxygen.
 10. The zipper bag as in claim 9, wherein the zipper contains zipper eyelets at respective ends.
 11. The zipper bag as in claim 7, wherein the securing strap is comprised of a handle and locking mechanism.
 12. The zipper bag as in claim 11, wherein said securing strap creates an airtight pocket around a packaged food.
 13. The method of delivering a food product, comprising: inserting a second adjuster into a first housing and a second housing of a first adjuster, a first and second upper and lower plurality of sizing members frictionally contact with a upper and lower sizing clips of a first and second retainer component; adjusting levers are depressed, the upper and lower sizing clips disengage, and allow for further insertion of the second adjuster, to fit the diameter of the packaged product, once released, spring-loaded retainers spring forward, engaging the plurality of sizing members; placing a zipper bag over a packaged product, created by the adjustable body enveloping the packaged product; placing the securing strap over the zipper bag, the packaged product, and resting inside a connected first securing recess and a second securing recess of the adjustable body; opening the handle; pulling the security strap and closing the handle and lock, creating an airtight pocket; placing a interconnected eyelet member a protective cover between a first and a second parallel eyelet members of a eyelet clip; contacting a first and a second hook of the protective cover with a first and a second zipper eyelet of the zipper bag; piercing the first parallel eyelet member, the interconnected eyelet member and the second parallel eyelet member, connecting and holding the packaged product, vertically.
 14. A universal size of flexible cover for covering open boxes or plates, to keep the contents fresh and unreachable by bugs, while providing the ability to access the contents without removing said cover, said device comprising: a. a flexible cover body; b. a conventional zipper, located on top of said cover body; c. a stretchable and elastic rubber like strip, located at the bottom of said cover body;
 15. The device of claim 14 wherein said flexible cover body is made, primarily but not necessarily, from a flexible see-through but yet durable plastic.
 16. The device of claim 14 wherein said stretchable and elastic rubber like strip is attached to the bottom of said cover body, manually can be stretched in order to slide it on top of pre-open box or plate in a glove manner. 